Megatrends Impacting the Chemicals Industry: What for 2010?

At the beginning of 2009, I published a list of the top 10 megatrends that we felt would have an impact on the Performance Materials industry through 2009.

For 2010 however, we will be taking a different perspective on the key dynamics in our industry. This change is an exciting one as it will allow us to more closely track the trends in our key downstream markets, and ultimately to translate this more effectively into resultant impacts on chemicals demand.

In order to track these dynamics, our research teams will be divided into three focus groups. By tracking the most important dynamics in these three sectors through 2010, it will allow us to translate them quickly into actionable recommendations for the chemical industry.

Personal Well-being: how do chemicals contribute to trends in personal well-being requirements? This could involve new ingredients for personal care products, new high strength materials for PPE to wear at work, better polymers for medical devices and food packaging, and many other products besides.

Construction and Utilities: how are chemicals used to create a better built environment around us? They have a massive role to play in making our homes better insulated and therefore more energy efficient, and also in constructing the renewable energy infrastructure of the future, such as wind turbines, solar cells, and the harnessing of tidal energy. Even the supply of safe drinking water around the world is reliant on the chemicals industry, both for treatment chemicals and for plastics for a secure pipeline infrastructure.

Transportation: in addition to improving our own personal well-being, and creating the built environment around us, chemicals also have an important role to play in how everything moves around the world, from the construction of vehicles to fuelling and maintaining them. This applies to everything from passenger cars to public transportation and the tanker fleet that enables global trade. New chemicals and materials can make vehicles more fuel efficient, safe and durable, and also a nicer environment to be in.

Do you think that these three focus areas encompass all of the most dynamic markets for chemicals and materials? Do you have any thoughts on what the key trends are that will drive change in 2010 and beyond? If so, please let us know and contribute to the further enhancement of our strategic vision.